Scandybars

Some time ago, dear readers, we introduced you to Scanwiches.  The epic blog by Jon Chonko that exploits the endlessly entertaining sectional quality of the sandwich.

But now we bring you Scandybars - same idea, but candy bars.  (And everyone knows that the best way to document anything is with a high-res scan.)

We know you've spent hours pondering the layers of a kitkat - how much thought and consideration that has gone into developing such a flawless crunchy treat.  Thanks to Scandybars, now you can explore the section of your favorite candies with the same rigor of a geoscientist:

A few of our favorites:

Butterfinger

Almond Joy

Babe Ruth

Crunchie

M&M's

Lion Bar

Flake

Scan on chocolate lovers, scan on.

Marilyn, In Toast

Marilyn Monroe, by Henry Hargraves

Get Cake.

Get Cake Homie - by Patrick Martinez

Gastronomista Girls on U Look Hungry

Earlier this week Miss Helen Hollyman asked us to come onto her show, U Look Hungry on the Heritage Radio Network.  We had a fantastic time talking about all of our recent projects and our sources of inspiration; Martha, moms, hashtags, mustard, kimchi, foodie films, and of course, a strong Dark and Stormy. 

Listen to the show here. 

Thanks to all the people who tuned in to listen to the live show - apparently there were quite a few of you!  Thank you! 

Many thanks to Miss Hollyman for having us on the show.  She is a very talented writer who wrote one of my favorite pieces of all time, Das Stinky.  Check out her website if you have a second, she's got some good stuff going on there, and one fantastic theme song.  No joke, we've listened to it maybe 1000 times in the last few days. 

Miss Holllyman also wrote us a very flattering preamble to the show:

"On today’s episode of U Look Hungry, I’m joined by Miss Rammy Lee Park and Emily Wells, two of the gems behind the delectable website, “Gastronomista.”  

If you’re not familiar with Gastronomista, it’s one of the best food websites dedicated to bookmarking some of the most hot haute hot mouthwatering food trends and unbelievable finds.

In short, it’s almost where food, art and fashion collide. The wordy libations don’t stop there; they also create bespoke events, gorgeous videos, and so much more."


Aww stop - we're blushing! 

xxG

In Ictu Oculi - Ungrateful Guests

Everyone has thrown that fateful party, where the guests take over and somehow the party gets out of control.  Before you know it, it's 4 am - the stereo has been usurped, and you, dear hostess are running around trying to pick up broken bottles, meanwhile your neighbors are appearing at your door in their pajamas and cursing your name.  Apologies, apartment #214 - we too wanted to sleep that night.

Spanish artist Greta Alfaro has created a banquet for some very ungrateful guests - who appear in a "blink of the eye'.  The scene starts with a perfectly set table, and finishes with the post-party destruction we are all so familiar with - broken plates, soiled table cloths, scattered chairs, and in our case, a hell of a hangover.

Before

After

No spoilers here, you must watch to see the wreckage, dear reader:

In Ictu Oculi from greta alfaro on Vimeo.


In the artist's words:

"From Freud's psychoanalytic read of Leonardo's The Virgin and Child with Saint Ann, to the more disturbing versions in the works of Klee and Kafka, their appearance in art and literature has often been linked to deviant behavior, maladies and death, possibly due to their unorthodox eating habits. The unrefined attitude displayed in Alfaro's "domestic" footage will probably not change their troublesome image. On the contrary, it continues to provoke a kind of discomfort both familiar and uncanny."

-Greta Alfaro

via Triangulation

Whisk You Were Here

There's nothing quite as cool as a talented chef with a foodie tattoo. But while we're too humble to brand ourselves "talented chefs," so far we've also been too wimpy to brand ourselves with a foodie tattoo.

The artists over at Tattly must feel our phantom pain.

Awesome Brooklyn-based illustrator Julia Rothman has created a few sets of mouth-watering temporary tattoos for the commitment-shy cook. We love the kitchen utensils:

The chef's knife is oh-so nice:

And the cheese grater! It's just so... great! (We know, groan.)

Rothman's newest set for the body-art hungry features classic ice cream truck popsicles:

All of the fun, none of the sticky. So sweet.

Is a Rocket Pop tattoo appropriate year-round? Maybe not. With these babies, your commitment to the frozen treat can last just as long as the summer does, if you like.

Maybe someday, we'll bite the bullet and get a colander inked on our clavicle. Until then, Tattly should do the trick.

xxGG

A Match Made in Iceland: Reyka Vodka and Bitters

The phrase "flavored vodka" does not have many fans in the foodie world. For us, personally, the idea conjures up embarrassed recollections of the fizzy, saccharine drinks of our youth. Fortunately, our tastes have matured, and our vocabulary no longer contains the word "razz."

While we don't pine for those naïve times, we do long for a crisp, frosty vodka cocktail that is flavorful, yet doesn't require a shaker and a mess of ingredients to make.

The adorable Icelandic folks at Reyka Vodka have an answer for our parched palettes:

BITTERS.

We have been happily shaking all sorts of bitters into our Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, but it never occurred to us how delicious they would be sprinkled into the clear stuff.

Reyka is a lovely vodka choice for this - you'd be hard-pressed to find a cleaner, crisper option, and the first swig imparts subtle notes of hay and citrus. Small batches are produced by two meticulous gentleman, including Master Distiller Kristmar Olafsson, on a coveted Carter Head still and filtered through Icelandic lava rock. In short, these guys are intensely concerned with taste and quality.

We were told that Reyka is the "perfect delivery vehicle" for bitters, and after rigorous testing, we emphatically agree. In fact, the Icelanders teamed up with cocktail impresario Jason Rowan of Brooklyn Hemispherical Bitters to create some super small-batch (only 32 bottles!) Icelandic Bitters. We were lucky enough to taste an Icelandic Bitters and Reyka, and while we've never been to Iceland, we took a flavor trip there with a sip of fragrant thyme, moss, and Anjelica. So cool.

For a more accessible quencher, try sprinkling some juicy, earthy Brooklyn Hemispherical Rhubarb Bitters over your Reyka and ice.

Just when things were looking bleak, we think we found a way to get through the rest of this sweltering summer. The best part? Instead of saying "razz," we'll be saying, "Skál!"

xxGG

Gastronomista Girls for Glamour Magazine

We've got some exciting news to share! We've been featured in the September issue of Glamour Magazine for their How To Do Anything Better Guide.  And we are thrilled to share it with you!

It's true, we're busy ladies, but we know how to throw a party.  In the piece we give some of our favorite recipes and entertaining tips that are guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser for your summer fête. 

The September issue is out now (Rihanna is on the cover) pick up a copy on newsstands - or check us out the Glamour i pad app!

The Menu:

We had such a wonderful time preparing and shooting this piece - we are so grateful for being featured spread for Glamour!  There are so many people to thank - Leslie Robarge, Rebecca Sinn, the entire Glamour squad that made us look so fab on set, and Lulu Frost for the bling.  We are always so amazed with how many people it takes to make a shoot happen, and all of the hard work that goes into it.  We are delighted with how it turned out, and we hope you enjoy it as well.

After the break: Behind the Scenes Shots.

Cocktail Recipe Redux: The Bolivian Mojito

Ah summer - nothing quite like the August heat that gets a girl craving a good minty Mojito.  But that Mojito needs an upgrade you say, we we've got one for you.

Let's us introduce to you AGWA de Bolivia - a liquor made of wild coca leaves (don't you fret - they are de-cocainized in Amsterdam).  Somehow this mojito tasted more herbal and certainly had more bite than the traditional mojito.

Unfortunately, Agwa does come in that terrifying green color - but it makes such a tasty libation, we're gonna let it slide.

AGWA Mojito

1.5 oz. AGWA
12 Mint leaves
1/2 lime
7 oz. Club soda
2 tsp. Sugar

In a large glass, gently crush mint leaves. Then, squeeze lime juice over crushed leaves. Add sugar and ice. Afterwards, add AGWA and club soda. Stir drink well. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Buy it here.

The Good, The Bad, and the Leafy

A radish damsel. A mustachioed fava bean. A corncob, with a cowboy hat full of bad memories. Miss Ariadne's final installment of Better Than Basics is up on Gilt Taste. Full article here, video below.

Shake 'Em Up, Girl!

We're working on our bartending moves...

 

Shake 'Em Up Girl - $10

Picnic Heaven

As far as Hollywood royalty goes, Grace Kelly is tough to beat. An Academy award-winner, an actual princess, and also, according to co-star Jimmy Stewart, just about the nicest lady he ever met. Plus, just look at how elegantly she picnics!

In honor of her Grace - as well as of picnicking! - Hermes is celebrating the launch of their Kelly Picnic bag by creating the iconic totes out of picnic essentials.

The actual Kelly Picnic bag

I don't know whether I want them on my arm or in my mouth. Why not both? With Grace Kelly as our icon, who's to say we can't have it all?